The Structure of the Machinery Directive 98/37/EC

The Machinery Directive is one of the most extensive of the European Commissions “New Approach” directives. It has 16 Articles and 7 Annexes. The Articles cover general items such as the scope and definitions, placing products on the market and putting them into service, free movement of CE marked goods in EU, reference to harmonized standards, vigilance and incident reporting, conformity assessment procedures, systems and procedure packs, Authorized Representative, consequences of wrongly affixed CE Marking, etc.

Annex I describes in full detail the Essential Requirements mandatory for all Machinery, Subassemblies or Components.
Annex II lists the exact contents of the EC Declaration of Conformity.
Annex III describes the particulars of how the CE Mark is to be placed on Machinery, Subassemblies or Components.
Annex IV identifies the Machinery, Subassemblies or Components that require EC type examinations by approved Notified Bodies.
Annex V instructs the way the EC Declaration of Conformity application is to be handled by the manufacturer.
Annex VI explains what the results of the EC Examination mean.
Annex VII identifies the minimum criteria for an approved Notified Body.

Last updated Apr 22, 2009

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